Human Health Exposure Assessment

A human health exposure assessment builds upon the qualitative descriptions in the conceptual model to

calculate a quantitative estimate of the exposure of selected human receptors to the COC. This

quantitative estimate may be:

a. A concentration in some environmental media such as sediment or water.

b. An estimate of the dose of a contaminant of concern to a human receptor through ingestion of fish

or shellfish.

What are the steps in conducting a human health exposure assessment?

The human health exposure assessment proceeds by:

a. Describing the exposure pathways along which humans may contact the contaminants of concern.

b. Consulting EPA guidance and background documents which provide information on various

factors which may affect the calculation of human exposures to contaminants of concern.

c. Estimating the amount of a contaminant of concern which a human receptor may ingest or

contact.

How does the exposure assessment relate to human health risk?

The human exposure assessment should quantify the exposure a dose of contaminant of concern for

comparison to published human toxicity factors for cancer and noncancer effects.

Exposure Assessment

The exposure assessment develops exposure scenarios which are detailed

descriptions of:

a. A human receptor's activities which result in exposure to the COC.

b. The pathway and route by which the human receptor contacts COC.

c. Physical, chemical, and biological factors which affect the amount of the

contaminant contacted or ingested.

Chapter 4 Human Health Risk Assessment